Carolina Hurricanes: Three takeaways as Canes double up Knights

With a 4-2 win in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Carolina Hurricanes progress to 12-2 on the year and get their six-game road trip off to the perfect start. A strong first and third period saw the team push beyond the reach of the walking wounded Vegas Golden Knights, and move back to the top of the Metropolitan division.

With Carolina building on their win at home against St Louis, playing a team like Vegas that is absolutely consumed with injuries was just what the doctor ordered. The team gets to settle on the west coast with a win under their belt. Their next game against Anaheim is going to be an absolutely brilliant game, but until then, it’s time to focus on this game.

Carolina’s hot start was sparked by their blueliners. It was built on by their powerplay. When Vegas came roaring back, it was the Finnish netminder who held firm between the pipes. When Carolina had the chance, it was their rookie who put the finishing touches on this game. Their blossoming 2C put it out of reach, and their defense shut the door. This was an almost flawless road performance in the first and third.

Carolina doubled Vegas up in both goals and shots, with very little to be done by the Finnish netminder who was making his first appearance since being leveled in the Florida game, but we will get to talking about him in a minute. This was a dominant performance by the Canes, who held all the cards all night. It was a game dictated by Carolina for the bulk of it, and in the end, they leave the table with more than they went in with.